Coated MEAs and catalyst layers for PEM and AEM electrolysis as well as fuel cells
Direct Matter GmbH
Gelsenkirchen · BochumNew on Amplifa
About Direct Matter
Direct Matter GmbH (formerly Hydrogenea GmbH) is a spin-off of Westphalian University of Applied Sciences from Gelsenkirchen that develops and produces components for the green hydrogen economy. The company manufactures catalyst-coated membranes (CCM) and finished membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for PEMEL/PEMFC, AEMEL and AEL technologies. Its core process is an automated roll-to-roll (R2R) coating system used to apply catalyst coatings to membranes, carbon fleece, metallic substrates and textile substrates. In addition, the company offers electroplating and chemical coating of components, test bench and long-term testing of electrolyzer systems, and troubleshooting. With an MEA customizer, customers can configure up to nine layers and request an individual quote. The focus is on high efficiency, durability and reduced use of critical raw materials such as PGM and PFAS. Customers are manufacturers of electrolyzer and fuel cell stacks and systems; Direct Matter is also active in several EU-funded research projects.
- Site
- Gelsenkirchen
- Processes
- Catalyst coating of membranes (CCM manufacturing), Catalyst coating of carbon fleece, Catalyst coating of metallic substrates, Roll-to-roll coating (R2R pilot production), Manufacturing of MEAs for electrolyzers and fuel cells (PEM, AEM, CCS), Electroplating/chemical coating of components, Catalytic activation of textiles in the R2R process (KARPET project), Electrochemical deposition of catalysts on innovative supports (Progress-PEMEL project)
- Materials
- Carbon fleece, Metal substrates (coated, for alkaline technologies), Membranes (PEM, AEM), Textile substrates (catalytically activated), Catalyst materials (PGM-reduced), Roll-to-roll coating, Catalyst-coated membranes, Membrane electrode assemblies
- Certificates
- Test bench/long-term testing, Diagnostics & quality control, ISO 9001
- Founded
- 2024
- Industries
- Hydrogen economy / Green hydrogen, Electrolysis, Fuel cells, Chemical production, Energy transition
- 01
Substrate provision (membrane, carbon fleece, metal substrate, textile)
- 02
Catalyst application (R2R coating / electroplating-chemical)
- 03
CCM/MEA manufacturing (up to 9 configurable layers)
- 04
Test bench/long-term testing, diagnostics & quality control
- 05
Delivery to stack and system manufacturers
Substrates, Materials & Processes
Roll-to-roll coating
Automated pilot production for continuous coating of membranes and substrates; increased to 10 kW installed capacity in 2025.
Catalyst-coated membranes
Custom CCM manufacturing for PEM and AEM electrolyzers and fuel cells.
Membrane electrode assemblies
Finished MEAs for PEM, AEM and CCS with up to nine configurable layers.
Carbon fleece
Coated carbon fleece for improved material utilization, contact and integration.
Metallic substrates
Coated metal substrates for alkaline technologies (AEL/AEMEL).
Electroplating/chemical coating
Coating of components, including electrochemical deposition of catalysts on innovative supports.
PGM-reduced catalysts
Catalyst materials with reduced precious metal content for cost reduction.
PFAS and PGM reduction
Research field for sustainable material selection in electrolysis components.
Locations
Gelsenkirchen
DEHeadquarters, production and testing
- Lot size
- Prototypes to small series
- Materials
- Membranes, carbon fleece, metal substrates, textiles
- Automated roll-to-roll (R2R) coating system
- Test bench for electrolysis/fuel cell testing
Bochum
DENew premises and laboratory (relocation 2026)
- Lot size
- Small series
Components & Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst coating of membranes (CCM manufacturing)Surface | – | – | – | – | Membrane, Catalyst materials |
| Catalyst coating of carbon fleeceSurface | – | – | – | – | Carbon fleece |
| Catalyst coating of metallic substratesSurface | – | – | – | – | Metal substrates |
| Roll-to-roll coating (R2R pilot production)Surface | – | – | – | – | Membranes, Textile substrates, Support materials |
| Manufacturing of MEAs for electrolyzers and fuel cells (PEM, AEM, CCS)Joining | – | – | – | – | Membranes, Catalyst layers |
| Electroplating/chemical coating of componentsSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Catalytic activation of textiles in the R2R process (KARPET project)Surface | – | – | – | – | Textiles, Nanomaterials |
| Electrochemical deposition of catalysts on innovative supports (Progress-PEMEL project)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Test bench testing of electrolyzer systems (long-term testing, diagnostics, quality control)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Troubleshooting for electrolyzer systemsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automated roll-to-roll (R2R) coating system | – | – | – | – | Gelsenkirchen/Bochum |
| Test bench (electrolysis/fuel cell testing) | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality & Testing
Direct Matter operates test benches for electrolysis and fuel cell testing including long-term testing, diagnostics and quality control. In the HyQualityLab project, AI-supported quality control and assurance in hydrogen research is being developed.
| Evidence | Gelsenkirchen |
|---|---|
| Test bench/long-term testing | |
| Diagnostics & quality control | |
| ISO 9001 |
Company History
- 2023
EXIST Research Transfer approved (01.04.2023)
- 2024
Foundation of Hydrogenea GmbH on 17.01.2024; installation of 1-kW prototypes
- 2025
10 kW installed capacity through R2R pilot production; new research projects funded (July/Oct./Nov. 2025)
- 2025
Company realignment and renaming to Direct Matter (Dec. 2025)
- 2025–2026
Small-series production of 300 kW (planned)
- 2026
Relocation to own premises in Bochum (according to LinkedIn post Oct. 2026)